He said: “There is a feeling among this team that we can be successful. Southgate and Steve Holland have brought a renewed confidence to the team and I think everyone is going out and playing with belief and character.

“I feel there is a real change among us. We are heading towards changing the fortunes of English football .

“Every day in training the sessions are good and we are enjoying it. That is being replicated in the game.

“That is the mentality of the team. We want to win and the manager and his staff spoke about the ruthlessness they want us to have and having the right attitude and be ruthless. Each one of the lads had a real good attitude.”

Ward-Prowse became skipper when Jack Butland was replaced at the break on Tuesday - and now wants the armband permanently.

He said: “It is an honour to play for my country, but to have the armband as well was great.

“It was nice of Jack to hand it down to me at half-time. It is something I am wanting to do on a more permanent basis.

“In the future that is a role that I consider myself taking on and that is something I am working towards.”